Wilson seeks answers on Clearview turbine project

At an Ontario Legislature committee meeting Wednesday, Wilson submitted five written questions to the minister.

"I want to thank Clearview resident and municipal councillor Kevin Elwood for helping prepare these questions. I think they are well thought out and I hope the minister gives them the serious consideration they deserve," Wilson said.

The questions submitted are listed below:

1) As I've mentioned in the Legislature on several occasions, Wpd Canada wants to build eight industrial wind turbines – 500 feet in height – on agricultural land just west of Stayner and adjacent to the Collingwood Regional Airport. I know you are familiar with this project but do you understand the immense opposition to it?

2) Minister, have you or your staff ever taken the time to visit the Collingwood area firsthand to see the impact that this proposed project will have on the community? These turbines are in the flight paths of aircraft that use the Collingwood Regional Airport, which is getting busier each year.

3) Is the minister aware that just this week, Collingwood was voted number 3 out of 81 smaller communities in Canada in the Financial Post's annual ranking of the top entrepreneurial cities in Canada? By stifling the airport and development around it, do you believe that Collingwood can continue to attract the investment and innovation it's seen if these turbines are erected?

4) Minister, can you please clarify or confirm that the Green Energy Act contains adequate measures that ensure application approvals are considered first and foremost based on what is best for the public interest?

5) The Ontario Energy Board hearing held in December 2014 and requested by Wpd Fairview Wind Inc., requested that the OEB determine the location of project distribution facilities on public rights of way. Minister, can you please comment on how a determination was arrived at by the OEB to approve this request when the requester was not in possession of a Hydro One impact and connection agreement, was not the legal corporate supplier in possession of the project FIT contract and therefore was not a distributor and supplier upon which the OEB based the decision?

In response, the minister promised to provide written answers to the questions. Wilson said he will make the remarks available when he receives them.

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For more information call:Michael GenningsOffice of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey416-325-2069